After BCI, NTA Offers To Conduct CLAT In Regional Languages; Files Affidavit Before Delhi High Court

In an ongoing litigation for making the law school entrance exam CLAT more accessible to aspirants not proficient in English language, the National Testing Agency has informed the Delhi High Court that it is in a position to conduct CLAT-UG 2024 examination in regional languages.

Earlier, Bar Council of India had made a similar submission and stated that the current arrangement amongst the national law universities which conduct the exam only in English on rotational basis, has no statutory recognition.

NTA has however said support of the Consortium of NLUs or any particular NLU will be of "great assistance" to it for smooth and fair conduct of CLAT (UG)- 2024.

The development comes in a PIL filed by a law student seeking the conduct of CLAT-UG 2024 not only in English but also in other regional languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. The agency was recently impleaded as a party.

“In principle, NTA would be in a position to conduct the CLAT Examination in English and other Indian Languages as mentioned above. However, if NTA has to conduct the CLAT (UG)-2024, it could possibly be conducted sometime in third or fourth week of January 2024, considering the minimum time of 04 (four) months required for development/ moderation/ translation/ proof reading/ vetting or validation of Question Paper, finalization of exam centres in major cities as per the past practice, movement of exam functionaries and materials to the exam cities/ centres and other pre-exam preparations,” NTA has said.

The agency added that the exam can even be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, like JEE and CUET.

Significantly, the Consortium of NLUs has expressed reluctance in conducting CLAT in regional languages. It said translating AIBE exam is easy but CLAT exam involves "much more issues" in translation. On the other hand, BCI said conducting CLAT in regional languages will give opportunities to more citizens to pursue law as a career.

The matter is fixed for hearing on October 06 before a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad.

Case Title: SUDHANSHU PATHAK v. CONSORTIUM OF NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITIES THROUGH SECRETARY & ORS